Considering buying EVO. Want advice/opinions

[EG_Civic]

Im really considering getting an EVO. I love my hatch but want a new car. Something faster too. Im looking for EVO owners here. What is your take on it. Does it drive well (duh!) do things break, any quirks, things like that. Have you ever had a problem with it. Whats you average payment for the car, and insurance as well. Any info you can provide for me will be greatly appreciated


Oh about the name: I own a honda and was going to tune it but decided it would be better to get something with a little more power to start with.

[Stanimal]

Hi EG,

The EVO’s clutch will not handle too much abuse. Slipping the clutch too much on daily drives will shorten its life, as will repeated 5000+ rpm hard launches. The EVO 8 is not design as a drag racer.
The EVO’s gas mileage is not good for a 4 banger. (I’m getting 18 mpg combined - 80% city, 20% open Hwy) It's tuned to run pretty rich (safe). However, I don't think people buy EVO's for the gas mileage.
The steering is quick to the point of being nervous. This can be tiring for a daily driver for some people.
The stiff suspension is a little hard on your kidneys on freeway expansion joints at 10-30 mph. A little like a slammed sub-compact with stiff springs.

However, driven hard, the EVO is awesome. In terms of brakes and handling, EVO’s are nearly track ready. With just $2K worth of add-on’s to a stock EVO 8, I can’t think of anything under $40K that will touch it on the track.

Just one thing to note, due to the location of the MAP sensor and the way the ECU is programmed, most people have some problems with open element intakes on the EVO’s unless they invest in boost controllers, programmable ECU’s / piggyback computers and dyno-tune. On the plus side, exhaust upgrades works very well on this car.

In-terms of insurance, Mercury Ins charges me the same for my 91 Integra GS and my 03 EVO. Don’t ask me why.

[mellowboy]

Yeh EVOs are not made for comfort. So i'd suggest you test drive one before you get it. Its good for a weekend car but for daily driven..eh? My boy has one runnin high 11s and gave me a ride in it. It was truly a rush! All he spent was 3400. Thats pretty damn good if you ask me. Now he needs a new clutch cause its slipp'n nasty.

[10.5sec92AWDTALON]

My short list for a new car was EVO, STI, GTO, 03-04 Cobra( the supercharged ones), Infinity G35 2 dr.

The G35 2 dr, very, very nice, but underpowered IMO. Add the AWD of the 4 dr. and another 50 HP and that car would be killer.

The GTO, looks like a Grand AM or Olds Allero, fugly, heavy, underpowered, overpriced, near zero trunk space.

The STI, fun and fast off the line IF you know how to launch and have the guts to do it, believe me 5000+ rpm launches are NOT drivetrain freindly. 04-05 seem to have unresolved detonation issues among other problems that are now just cropping up, loves to throw codes when you mod, and once all the media BS hype clears it's still a cramped, 4 door Imprezza, well overpriced for the actual car you get IMO.

The EVO, well I KNOW Mitsu, been dealing with em for 12 years. Be ready for quality issues something fierce. Again fun and fast off the line IF you know how to launch. Clutch seems to fail way too early. IMO It's underpowered, and it's another cramped 4 door. I know, I've read all the media hype, but 276 HP is not a lot when you're out on the open road at 75 MPH lugging the AWD drivetrain with you. Good aftermarket support.

03-04 Cobra, gobs of power, and easily modded for even more. Noodle like late 1970's chassis, very poor ergonomics, many reliability issues are now cropping up as folks start to put some miles on em. Could've been a great supercar with the proper chassis. We'll see what 2006-07 brings when they return.

After a few months of agonizing I gave up and wasn't going to buy anything until the new Mustang comes out and I could try that.

But...I stumbled upon something I wasn't considering.

A 2001 Z28 SS, 1 owner with only 3,800 miles.
Auto, 3.23 gears, legendary LS1 Vette motor, and all the SS trimmings with bigger exhaust, handling package, big brakes, ram air hood. I took it for a drive. Very impressed, handles like on rails. Gobs of power and torque, 165 MPH comes up very fast. Price $19,000 with 7/70 warranty. Shit, this is a almost a brand spanking new car. I bought it, I love it.
Took it to the track last week. Turned traction limited easy 13.2's BONE STOCK!. Just added on a few cheap, easy mods. should crack the 12's now. The 01-02 are the best of this series, LS6 intake, All aluminum LS1 block/heads.

I can't believe how much I like this car. AND...I got 21.7 MPG out on the highway on my last tank.

All I need is a stall converter, some exhaust cutouts and mid 12's will be easy with this thing.

Perhaps in a few years when they sort out the STI/EVO and add some HP to em I'll revist em, but I did not buy into the media hype, I looked, I listened, I researched, I drove and here's where I ended up.